New Haven ditches parking fee for sake of Democracy

Residents attending night events at City Hall, including municipal meetings, will be able to park in this lot for free after 5 p.m. as part of a program dubbed “Democracy Parking.”

Residents attending night events at City Hall, including municipal meetings, will be able to park in this lot for free after 5 p.m. as part of a program dubbed “Democracy Parking.”

Photo: Pam McLoughlin / Hearst Connecticut Media

New Haven ditches parking fee for sake of Democracy

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

NEW HAVEN — Board of Alders President Pro Tempore Jeanette Morrison doesn’t want anyone to have to choose between buying bread or milk and weighing in through the democratic process, so she and fellow alders have approved a free parking plan for night business at City Hall.

And to take it a step further, Department of Transportation, Traffic, and Parking Director Doug Hausladen — who thinks it’s a “great idea” — said a next move might be to figure out how to reimburse residents who don’t have a car and need to take a bus to city meetings.

The program has been dubbed “Democracy Parking” because it gives residents a way to participate in city business without worrying about a flat $3 parking fee in the surface lot at 32 Elm St., between Orange and State streets, after 5 p.m.

Morrison said she and other alders hear repeatedly from residents that they don’t attend important city meetings because every time they go downtown they get a ticket.

“Any laws that we make or approve affect their daily lives,” so they should be part of the process, she said. “I want people to come downtown and participate in democracy.”

In “Democracy Parking,” those who attend an official city function in City Hall or the Hall of Records have their parking stub validated by one of the security personnel, a news release from City Hall states. Hausladen said validated parking technically is not free parking.

The cost to park in the lot that holds about 35 vehicles is a flat $3 at night.

Hausladen, who also is acting director of New Having Parking Authority, said use of the lot is light at night anyway.

Although people interviewed downtown Friday evening said $3 doesn’t seem like much to pay, Morrison said for those in less affluent areas that $3 might be the gas money they need to get to work the next day or the part of the food they need to put on the table.

Asked why they just don’t shut off the numerous parking meters adjacent to City Hall, Hausladen said it’s because restaurant workers would end up parking there and creating a shortage of spaces.

The parking meters cost $1.50 for an hour and there is no charge after 9 p.m.

He said the worst-case scenario with the parking validation plan is that people taking in a dinner and/or show park there for free and testify at a city meeting to get their parking lot ticket validated. He said that “wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing.”

Those interviewed downtown Friday said while they didn’t think $3 is a lot to pay for the parking, the free option can’t hurt.

“Why not? I think it’s a good idea if it brings more people to the meeting,” said Joseph Hannon.

A man who identified himself as Saj, owner of a convenience store near the lot, said the program “can’t hurt.”

Melissa Dreyfus said she doesn’t understand why a “nominal” parking charge would keep people out of the democratic process.

Hausladen said Democracy Parking is a “great way” to increase “engagement” in the city.

He said the plan is ongoing and has been in effect for weeks now, but they are really trying to get the word out now because of all the municipal meetings coming regarding the budget.

“In the coming weeks, the New Haven Board of Alders is scheduled to hold budget hearings and workshops — in City Hall beginning at 6 p.m. — on April 9 and 19, and on May 9, 14, and 2,” a news release from City Hall states.

The parking program was Morrison’s idea. She was also instrumental in the creation of what she calls “family parking” after 5 p.m., which allows those using the main branch of the city’s public library to park in Yale University’s lot #51 on Temple Street.